Resources for Kirkland Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

The most update-to-date information on the City's response to COVID-19 is available here.

Need COVID-19-related business assistance? Don’t have a relationship with a commercial bank or similar financial service? Our partners at (re)STARTUP425 offer free, one-on-one business assistance to Eastside businesses. They can help business owners and nonprofits navigate city, state, federal, and private economic relief programs related to COVID-19.

King County to Allow Limited Openings of Businesses

Starting June 5, restaurants and retailers will be allowed to serve customers in their establishments, in addition to other modified openings for a wide range of businesses and activities. Public Health – Seattle & King County will monitor transmission trends, medical capacity and other key indicators to help inform further reopening decisions.

Businesses are required to follow the state Department of Health’s specific guidance but must adjust their occupancy to the levels identified here. The State defines an establishment’s capacity as the fire code. The intent is to limit business operations to a level that allows for social distancing. Additionally, businesses in retail, professional services, and real estate must take steps to reduce indoor operations to thirty minutes. This is not meant to be timed to the second – no one is expected to have a stopwatch – but customers should be informed why it is important to limit close interactions.

Grants & Loans

ADVISING

(re)STARTUP425’s Business Response Team can provide free technical advising to assist in accessing financial options (like grants and SBA loans), becoming loan-ready, and retaining employees. They’ve partnered with Business Impact NW, a community-development financial institution and nonprofit, to bring Eastside businesses one-on-one advising from local experts in small business resilience.

GRANTS

The Kirkland Small Business Relief Fund was created by Google, the City of Kirkland, the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce, and Banner Bank’s Kirkland branch to provide immediate grants to qualifying small businesses and small nonprofits in Kirkland impacted by COVID-19. Although the first round of applications for the Relief Fund is now closed, there may be an additional round of grants. For more information, including application details and information on contributing to the fund, please visit the Chamber’s website.

Seattle Foundation has established a COVID-19 Response Fund, which will initially assist nonprofit organizations that work with communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and its consequences. Please note that this fund will not initially assist nonprofits that have lost revenue, though this may be considered in the future.

Facebook has established a Small Business Grants Program to assist businesses in addressing the impacts of COVID-19. These grants will include both cash grants and ad credits.

Leases, Utilities, and Taxes

LEASES

The City Council created a moratorium on small business and nonprofit organization evictions in Kirkland due to nonpayment of rent or the expiration of leases during the COVID-19 proclamation of emergency or 60 days after the directive (dated March 31, 2020), which ever happens sooner. The moratorium can be extended beyond 60 days with ratification of the City Council.

Communities Rise have published a Lease Amendment Toolkit to assist small businesses and nonprofits in negotiating their commercial leases.

UTILITIES

The City of Kirkland is suspending all late fees, tag fees, and water shut offs until 30 days after rescission of Governor’s Executive Order. Although utility charges are not being discounted or waived, deferral of your utility bill allows you to delay payment of current charges.

Puget Sound Energy is not disconnecting utility service for non-payment at this time. Additionally, it is temporarily waiving late fees for non-payment. It will work with customers on options like payment plans and bill extensions.

Comcast Xfinity is not disconnecting internet service or assessing late fees at this time. Eligible customers can get more information and contact Comcast.

CenturyLink is not disconnecting internet service or assessing late fees at this time. Eligible customers can get more information and contact CenturyLink.

T-Mobile is not disconnecting small business customers due to inability to pay at this time. Additionally, it is temporarily waiving any late fees that small business customers incur due to the COVID-19 situation. Eligible customers can find more information from T-Mobile.

TAXES

State Department of Revenue is offering filing extensions and penalty waivers for state-level B&O taxes. Eligible businesses can get more information and apply.

The federal Internal Revenue Service has announced an extension of the April 15 tax filing and payment deadline to July 15, regardless of the amount owed. The IRS can provide additional information.

Resources for Employers and Workers

Communities Rise has launched a virtual COVID-19 Legal Clinic to assist small businesses and nonprofits in Washington state with COVID-19-related business legal issues. They have set up a new streamlined online platform to match clients and volunteer attorneys with minimal processing time.

Help for businesses wanting to keep employee health coverage: The State Office of the Insurance Commissioner has let all health insurers know they have flexibility in defining who is eligible for coverage under the employer-sponsored health plan. If an employer would like to try to keep their employees covered or have other questions, they should reach out directly to their health insurer. Visit the Coronavirus and Health Insurance webpage for more information.

Federal, state, and other financial programs

Washington's Stay Home, Stay Healthy order allows only those going to work at an essential business to go to workplaces. To clarify status, or to petition to be added to the list, businesses can use an online form.

TheU.S. Small Business Administration is offeringlow-interestfederal disaster loans to Washington small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19. Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

This information is being provided to you by the City of Kirkland for informational purposes only. The City makes no specific representations or endorsements with respect to these programs and services.